Train trips up by almost 30 per cent and trams by 20 per cent after record fares cut
The data is in and we now know what difference 50c fares have made to Gold Coasters using public transport. There’s more than one surprise. SEE THE NUMBERS
Transport
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Gold Coast commuters are backing the state government’s 50 cent fares trial, recording some of the biggest jumps in patronage with huge numbers on trains and trams.
Coast public transport trips were up 9.3 per cent on pre-Covid levels in the first week of the trial, with trains recording the biggest percentage increase.
The government is using the figures to target Mermaid Beach LNP Ray Stevens who has branded the 50 cent fares scheme an unnecessary “strain on the state economy”.
Number crunching of Transport Department data shows:
* More than 600,000 trips were taken across buses, trains and trams from Monday,
August 5 to Sunday, August 11.
* Train trips from Coast stations were up 28.6 per cent and light rail trips up 19.6
per cent when compared to pre-Covid levels.
* Coast public transport users saved more than $1.5m during the first week
of the trial – based on the same number of trips being taken under the previous fares
structure.
* Cavill Avenue was the busiest light rail station – averaging 5500 boardings per day
during the week – with Friday the busiest day on the light rail network (more than
40,000 trips taken).
The 50 cent fares apply to all TransLink services, including bus, train, tram, on
demand transport and cross border services.
Coast bus patronage, while not as strong on the rebound as the other transport forms, was in the first week of the trial at 96.8 per cent of pre-Covid levels.
This is an increase on the 94.4 per cent of pre-Covid levels for Coast buses when 50 cent fares were announced.
A record 189.73 million trips were taken on South East Queensland public transport
in 2018-19 — the last full financial year before the pandemic — and patronage was on
track to eclipse that figure in 2019-20 before Covid hit.
Gaven MP and Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has questioned why Mr Stevens was attacking the fare initiatives when his LNP colleagues on the Sunshine Coast were supportive.
Mr Stevens in a newsletter to the Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce on the Labor Government initiative wrote “this will only add to the strain on the State economy … and contributing to further cost of living pressures.”
“This latest rant by an LNP MP attacking 50 cent fares only proves that public
transport on the Gold Coast is all at risk to be cut under the LNP,” Ms Scanlon said.
“Only the Miles Government backs better transport for the coast, unlike the LNP who
cut bus services in the Gaven electorate when David Crisafulli was last in office.
“Investment in the Gold Coast has increased by more than 600 per cent under Labor
— something that will continue as we deliver our Big Transport Build.”
“We’re doing what matters for Gold Coasters, tackling the cost of living and helping
them save with cheaper public transport, cheaper rego and more ways to travel.”
Transport Minister Bart Mellish also targeted the LNP after $1.5m in fares was saved in a week.
“For the duration of the trial, a return trip from the Goldy to Brisbane costs just $1,” he said.
“It’s no surprise with the level of savings and convenience of the light rail, train and
bus network that locals have chosen to leave the car at home.
“It’s a shame that it is all at risk, with the Gold Coast’s LNP members already talking
down the trial.
“The LNP have never supported our plans to grow the public transport network on
the Gold Coast, and it’s clear the light rail will never make it to the Airport under a
Crisafulli Government.”
Mr Mellish said commuters were voting with their feet and getting on-board with the fares.
“If the LNP are committed to keeping 50 cent fares, David Crisafulli must condemn
Ray Stevens and his comments,” Mr Mellish said.
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